A Sense of Purpose: The Views and Experiences of Young Mothers in Northern Ireland About Growing Up

Author(s): Goretti Horgan
Commissioned by: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Document Type: Report
Year: 2001
Publisher: Save the Children
Place of Publication: Belfast
Subject Area(s): Social Care
Client Group(s) : Women, Lone Parents, Parents, Families

Abbreviations: NI - Northern Ireland

Background to the Research

  • The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, between 1998 and 2000, funded Save the Children to undertake four complementary studies of young people's views about the transition from childhood to adulthood in England, Scotland, Wales and NI.
  • Four groups of young people were identified: young people who had participated in young organisations in England; young workers in Wales and south-west England; young people leaving care in Scotland; and young mothers in NI.
  • These groups were chosen in order to explore possible similarities and differences in the experiences of young people who may be regarded as vulnerable because of their circumstances and/or because they may have taken on responsibilities beyond the expectations of people their age.

Research Approach

  • The study was a qualitative analysis of the views and experiences of young mothers growing up in NI. In NI, the sample was gained predominately through voluntary organisations supporting young mothers. The majority of the sample (16 interviewees) were living in Belfast or Derry cities, with the other nine living in a rural area. Nine were employed, all on a contract basis, and all were involved in some form of work with young people or young parents.
  • The interview schedule facilitated an exploration of the main themes of the research, namely significant events and experiences, skills gained and required and changing attitudes to, and perceptions of, growing up.
  • The interview lasted on average two hours and was interspersed with written and visual exercises that helped boost concentration levels and facilitated discussion of the issues raised.
  • The ages of young mothers when interviewed ranged from 13 to 27 years with 18 young mothers aged over 18 at time of interview. All of the young mothers had become pregnant when aged 18 or less, with 2 having become pregnant at age 13/14 years. 2 young mothers were currently living in the family home, 10 lived in a hostel and 13 lived in their own home.

Main Findings

  • Sex education in school was 'inadequate', 'not realistic' or 'not detailed enough'
  • Young mothers had not looked for contraceptive advice before becoming pregnant, because 'you might be seen' and 'it would get back to your parents'. For those living in rural areas, lack of transport make it even more difficult to get contraception.
  • Young mothers would have preferred to be older and 'lived a bit more' before they had their child' but for most of them their lives were now more focused and purposeful.
  • Three-quarters of biological fathers had let their girlfriends down. However, about a quarter of the fathers were involved in parenting their child.
  • Money, or rather a lack of money, was an issue for all the young mothers, even those who lived at home with their parents. The very tight budget on which they had to live meant that they knew how their benefits were spent, down to the last penny.
  • For some, parenting skills came naturally, for others it was more of a struggle.
  • The young mothers were determined to be the best parents possible. Almost half had done a parenting course, and a further quarter said they intended to do one soon.
  • For those with children over three years, education was a big issue. All wanted to make sure their children got a better start from school than they had.
  • Most of the young mothers faced a wait of up to two years before being housed. Many were offered accommodation that was 'hard to let' because of its poor condition, or because the area was rundown or crime-ridden.
  • For some, moving into their own place was a bleak and lonely time. Just how miserable it was for them seems to have depended on how near they were to their families.
  • The chronic lack of affordable childcare was an obstacle to returning to education, getting a job or even having a bit of time to themselves.
  • All nine of those who worked had short-term contracts. This caused problems with the benefit system, and sometimes meant they could not complete work-based training.
  • None of the young mothers had a social life like other young people their age.
  • Transport was a problem for many of the young mothers when accessing education, training or employment, and getting their child to childcare. In rural areas, transport was a problem for something as basic as collecting benefits.
  • Overwhelmingly, the young mothers identified their family, especially their mothers, as their main support. Many relied on their parents to help them with money.
  • Voluntary organisations like Gingerbread, Youth Action and Barnardo's Young Parents Network also gave important support to the young mothers.

Conclusions

  • The report concluded that it was clear that these young mothers had made the transition to adulthood by the age of 18, which most young people today do not make until 25 plus.
  • However, mothers under 18, even when living independently, are entitled to benefits far below the income support level. The report recommended that young mothers be treated as adults by the benefit system and other agencies and made a number of recommendations for policy makers regarding benefits, housing, health and education.

 

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